A bloody clash between two groups over territorial dominance in the Bakalia area of Chattogram resulted in the severing of a Jubo Dal activist’s hand at the wrist.
The incident triggered a counterattack in which another individual was injured, and several homes were attacked.
The clashes and retaliatory attacks occurred intermittently between 10am and noon on Monday in the areas of Boluar Dighirpar and Bou Bazar in Bakalia.
The injured Jubo Dal activist has been identified as Minhaj, a resident of Masterpool and the son of the late Mizan. He is also known to be a follower of Zakir Group in the area. The other injured person is Arman, also known as Angel, the son of the late Rafiq from Bou Bazar.
He is reportedly a supporter of someone named Sabuj. Local sources and eyewitnesses reported that around 10am on Monday, Minhaj was on his way to appear in court from the Boluar Dighirpar area when he was ambushed.
He was attacked with a sharp weapon, and his hand was severed at the wrist. He was rescued in critical condition and initially taken to Chattogram Medical College (CMC) Hospital. However, due to the severity of his injuries, he was later transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment.
Following the attack on Minhaj, his supporters retaliated around 1:30pm by launching an attack on Bou Bazar Ahmadur Rahman Road, near Majid Sawdagar’s Mosque in South Bakalia.
During this attack, Arman (Angel) was targeted, and his house was severely vandalised. Arman managed to escape with his life by taking refuge in a house.
On the ground, traces of blood were still visible on the road at Boluar Dighirpar and Masterpool, and there were marks of sharp weapons on the gates of various homes in Bou Bazar.
According to police sources, the Boluar Dighir area falls under the jurisdiction of both the Kotwali and Bakalia police stations in Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP). Both police stations have launched investigations into the incident.
Given the tense atmosphere in the area, additional police personnel have been deployed. However, as of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.
Previously, on 5 April, a territorial dispute in the Miya Khan Nagar area of Bakalia led to a clash between rival groups of criminals. Followers of gangster Morshed Khan opened fire with shotgun pellets and indiscriminately attacked rivals Abdus Sobhan and Shawkat’s group with sharp weapons. Four people were injured in the incident.
The police detained five individuals on the same day. Shawkat was arrested on Sunday night in connection with the incident.
